Abstract: Examples provide a system for monitoring an open container. A set of sensors captures sensor data associated with one or more items within an open container, such as, but not limited to, a food warmer or a refrigerated/freezer display case. The set of sensors may include one or more infrared (IR) cameras. The set of sensors transmits the sensor data to a monitoring component. The monitoring component processes the sensor data to identify factor(s) associated with one or more items, such as temperature, location of the item, state changes, and freshness of the one or more items. If a factor for a given item exceeds a predetermined threshold value for that factor, the monitoring system outputs an alert notification to a user interface.

Abstract: Examples provide a location-aware device tracking system. A location-aware application on a user device scans for a wireless network using a private SSID. When a network is found, the user device connects to a store hidden network. A device tracking system gathers transaction data, including user device location based on the SSID. A location-aware analysis engine analyses the transaction data using machine learning and a predictive engine to create and/or update a user device profile. An item alert is delivered to the user device based on the user device profile and user device location data.

Abstract: A time record system for automatically determining a status of an employee is discussed. The time record system includes multiple image sensing devices to detect a visual indicator that uniquely identifies an employee. The time record system also includes a processing device to create and store an event and a timestamp in response to detection of the visual indicator. A second event is created and stored along with a timestamp in response to occurrence of a second detection of the visual indicator by the image sensing devices. The status of the employee is determined based on the stored events and a signal is transmitted to a wearable device associated with the employee.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for autonomously opening bags using a mechanical arm. The mechanical arm includes actuators that move the mechanical arm in response to a trigger, a gripping component that attracts a portion of the bag in response to contact with the bag using a static electric charge, a nozzle that provides an introduction of compressed air into an environment relative to the opening of the bag, and a trigger mechanism that provides the trigger to the mechanical arm such that the mechanical arm brings the gripping component into contact with the bag using the one or more actuators and provides an expulsion of a portion of the compressed air via the nozzle to open the bag.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated checkout using metal detection to determine a location of a universal product code (UPC) or another physical item identifier (PID) associated with a given item. A set of sensors detects a location of a physical identifier (PID) associated with at least one item. A set of signal components outputs an indication of the detected PID location on the given item. The output PID location indication directs a movement or change in position of the given item to place the PID in a readable proximity of a scanner component. The PID location indication may include an audible indication, a visual indication, and/or a haptic indication to a user. The PID location indication may include instructions to an orientation component for automatically repositioning the item within the readable proximity of the scanner component.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating shopping cart wheels using a sensor module or one or more microphones engaged with the shopping cart. The microphones can be used to detect sounds generated by the wheels of the shopping cart. A sound signature can be determined from the detected sound and compared to sound signatures in a database. If the detected sound indicates that a wheel of the shopping cart is failing, an alert can be generated using an associate alert system.

Abstract: A sterilization mechanism for a shopping cart is described. The shopping cart includes a frame, a basket portion mounted to the frame, and a handle portion mounted to the frame and including a top and bottom section. The shopping cart includes a cleanliness sensor configured to detect a cleanliness level of the handle portion. The shopping cart includes a sterilization mechanism for killing microorganisms on the handle portion detachably mounted to the handle portion. The sterilization mechanism includes an ultraviolet light source disposed within the body of the sterilization mechanism and configured to be actuated into a light-emitting position when the cleanliness level is detected to be equal to or above a predetermined cleanliness threshold. In the light-emitting position, the ultraviolet light source is configured to emit ultraviolet light onto the handle portion to sterilize both the top and bottom sections of the handle portion from a mounted position.

Abstract: A technique for detecting spills is disclosed. A number of electrodes within a portion of a surface are connected to a resistance meter. The resistance meter detects a spill by measuring a change in resistance between two or more electrodes when a fluid is spilled over the two or more of the electrodes. The location of the spill can also be determined based on a known location for each of the electrodes. The size of the spill can further be determined based on a number of electrodes which measured a change in resistance due to the spilled fluid.

Abstract: A landing pad receptacle receives and stores a package delivered by an unmanned vehicle, comprising: a housing; a storage compartment in the housing; and a validation device that detects a presence of a package delivered by a unmanned vehicle in the storage compartment and authenticates a package for return by a unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A system for illuminating a route to a desired product within a retail store to assist a customer in finding a desired product is disclosed. Preferably, the system uses an App which is downloaded and installed on the customer's mobile device. The App may use locating capabilities of the mobile device to determine the customer's location. The store at which the customer is interested in finding the product is automatically provided based upon the user's location. The mobile device connects with a backend system which locates an item related database for the selected store. The customer selects the desired product and the product location in the store. A route from the customer's location to the product location is determined and displayed on the mobile device. The backend system employs a number of projector to project lighted markers on surfaces indicating the route for the customer to follow to the product.

Abstract: A system for keeping track of an employee's attendance is described that allows the employee to be creative which also helps morale. An employee sets up an employee account and provides identification. A full body image is taken of the employee that is analyzed. Facial features may also be analyzed and stored. The employee then can create his/her own unique gesture which is captured and stored as a unique clock in gesture. He/she may also set up passwords and/or security questions if the gesture is not recognized. The employee then performs the unique clock in gesture to notify the system when he/she is beginning or leaving work. During clock in, the system checks human resource rules, accumulated work hours and characteristics of the employee's employment and clocks in the employee if it determines that the employee meets the rules and is allowed to clock in and work additional hours.

Abstract: A technique for detecting spills is described. A number of audio sensors detect a sound potentially associated with an object spilling on a surface and the audio data from the sensors is analyzed in order to generate an acoustical analysis of the sound. The analysis of the sound detected by the audio sensors is compared against a database of known sounds corresponding to a number of types of spill incidents. Based on a match detected between the analysis of the sound and a type of spill incident in the database of known sounds, the identity of the object spilled can be determined. The location of the spilled object can also be calculated by triangulating the sensor data from the audio sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for online ordering of produce items by customers. The system allows customers to visually inspect the produce they are ordering. The system is useful for picking single, rounded produce items. The system includes a camera and rollers beneath a compartment grid to take images of produce for customer online selection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for online ordering of produce items by customers. The system allows customers to visually inspect the produce they are ordering The system is useful for purchasing bulk produce items The system includes an overhead camera and a camera beneath a compartment grid repository to take images of bulk produce in containers for customer online selection.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for detecting moisture dissipated from perishable foods. Perishable foods can be disposed in shelving units and moisture sensors can be disposed with respects to the to the perishable foods. The moisture sensor can detect moisture dissipated by the perishable foods within range of the moisture sensor. The moisture sensors can transmit the amount of moisture detected to the computing system. The computing system can determine whether at least one perishable food item within the range of the moisture sensors is damaged or decomposing based on the amount of moisture detected.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide a system and method for determining item viability based upon profiles as items are moved in inventory environments. The system receives sensor data, identifies possible candidate items corresponding to the sensor data, determines if any of the candidate items is a match to the profile of the sensor data, and executes a protocol based upon the match.